We spend a great deal of our lives asleep, or at least we try to. Difficulties with sleep can be one of the hardest health challenges to deal with. The symptoms of not getting enough rest range from relatively mild, such as sleepiness and irritability, to more serious and severe, … [Read more...]
Pet Friendly House Plants and How to Care for Them
Having plants indoors is a great way to help keep air clean and bring the feel of the garden into your home, but some plants can be toxic to animals. We’ve gathered a list of some of the most common houseplants to avoid as well as care instructions for plants that are known to be … [Read more...]
List of Houseplants for Low Light
Having plants nearby is good for the soul, but not everyone has the time or space to dedicate to a garden—or lives in a climate conducive to gardening. Growing plants indoors can be tricky, though, because they need the perfect amount of space, water, and light to … [Read more...]
Is Contaminated Dust in Your House Making You Fat?
We have all heard about poor diet and a lack of physical activity as major contributors to the growing rates of obesity in the United States, but researchers have also identified common environmental pollutants that could play a role. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals, or EDCs, … [Read more...]
Top House Plants for Improving Air Quality
Gardeners have solid research to defend the urge to buy more houseplants. A study from NASA and the ALCA (Associated Landscape Contractors of America) concludes that houseplants purify the air. We all love to have houseplants like bamboo palm and spider plants to make our … [Read more...]
How to Grow Pomegranate in Containers
Eating a truly healthy diet can sometimes be a drag. It’s often expensive and requires being able to make it to the grocery store pretty often because most healthy foods don’t have preservatives added to them that keep them shelf-stable for long periods of time. But, how would … [Read more...]
How to Grow Hoya (Wax Plant)
Wax plant is a beloved trailing plant belonging to the Hoya plant family. It's a classic beauty with fragrant clusters of star-shaped blooms. Wax plant gets its name from its thick, shiny leaves. Perfect for a hanging container, wax plant vines and drapes gracefully. It's a … [Read more...]
The Complete Guide to Growing Succulents as Houseplants
Succulents are a cool and trendy plant species. Their texture gives them a fun and unique character. Available in a wide variety of intriguing shapes, sizes and colors, they make for interesting houseplants. A single succulent plant looks great in a container, and a clustered … [Read more...]
How to Grow Air Plants
Air plants (Tillandsia) are a fascinating contemporary gardening trend. These perennial evergreen plants are one of the easiest to grow species of plants out there. Unlike most plants, air plants don't require soil, so they can grow almost anywhere. Air plant leaves are the … [Read more...]
How to Care for Poinsettia Plants
The festive poinsettia plant (Euphorbia Pulcherrima) takes center stage during the chilliest time of the year, but it loves a warm, tropical climate for growth. With its preference for warmer weather, it will grow outdoors year round in the U.S. Department of Agriculture plant … [Read more...]
Caring for Potted Plants
Do you have an illustrious green thumb? The truth is, you probably do. You just may not know it. With patience, a bit of general plant care knowledge and some tips from the experts, your thumb can be green in no time. The perfect place to start to develop your … [Read more...]
Growing Aloe Vera Successfully: A Comprehensive Guide
Want to know how to grow your own aloe vera plants? The succulent aloe vera is an easy houseplant to care for, and it will reward you with a little extra bonus. The juice and gel from the aloe vera plant's leaves can be used to soothe sunburns and other minor skin irritations. It … [Read more...]
How to Grow a Prayer Plant
With beautiful foliage and easy maintenance, the prayer plant (Marantaceae) is a lovely exotic house plant to enjoy indoors. The prayer plant is best known for its habit of folding and bending its leaves upright in the evening which gives it the appearance of being in prayer. … [Read more...]
Peace Lily Care: How to Grow Peace Lily Plants Successfully at Home
By Julie Christensen Looking for a houseplant that performs well in low light? Consider the peace lily (Spathiphyllum). This attractive, low-maintenance plant grows 16 inches to over 3 feet tall, depending on the cultivar, and produces long, lance-like leaves that are glossy, … [Read more...]
Make Your Own Seed Capillary Mat: Self Watering Trays
Once you've planted your seeds indoors, they need just the right amount of water to germinate and mature. Capillary mats, also called self watering trays, are a great watering option. Without a steady supply of water, the results can be disastrous. Give your pots too much or too … [Read more...]
Types of Greenhouse Coverings
One of the main components of any type of greenhouse construction — be it for home or commercial use — is the covering, also called glazing. There are four main types of glazing: Plastic Films, Polycarbonate, Glass, and Fiberglass. What you select depends ultimately on budget, … [Read more...]
Houseplant Bugs: Identification and Control
Houseplant bugs usually enter your home as unwanted stowaways on newly purchased plants. Once in your home, they can quickly spread to other houseplants, where they damage plants by actively feeding on the leaves or sucking the juices from plants. Insect pests on outdoor plants … [Read more...]
How to Grow a Mango Plant Indoors
Wondering if you can grow a mango plant indoors? Yes, you can. It may never bear fruit, but it makes an attractive house plant and can be a fun project. Mangoes are native to southern Asia, but were carried by monks and explorers to other subtropical regions throughout the … [Read more...]
LED Grow Lights: How to Choose
Many gardeners seek to extend the growing season by growing herbs, leafy vegetables and flowers indoors using grow lights. In the past, growers used fluorescent bulbs to provide the necessary light for plants growing indoors. LED (Light Emitting Diode) grow lights are a fairly … [Read more...]
Yesterday Today and Tomorrow Plants: How to Grow
The Yesterday Today and Tomorrow plant (Brunfelsia) is a tropical plant native to Brazil. Its lush green foliage is accented with unique blooms that change color. The flowers bloom first as a purple or violet bloom. The next day that same bloom is pale lavender and the next day … [Read more...]